Good news, everyone!  The Fantasia Film Festival is back for another year.  One of Canada’s premier film festivals, and one of the biggest genre film festivals on the continent. This year’s lineup looks great, but here are five films I’m looking forward to. 

The Well 

Shailyn Pierre-Dixon leads a post-apocalyptic survival drama, directed by Hubert Davis in his narrative debut.  Set in a time of environmental collapse, with a precious water supply at the centre, this sounds exactly up my alley. 

Foreigner

A story about a young Iranian woman who arrives in 2004 Canada and immediately falls in with the popular girls at school, who pressure her to assimilate.  This, in turn, leads her to reject who she is, rebel against her parents, and all the drama that ensues.

Redux Redux

The story of a woman so consumed with grief and rage that she travels to alternate dimensions to avenge her daughter’s murder by killing the murderer over and over again. That’s it, that’s the whole pitch and all I need to know. 

Lurker 

Théodore Pellerin is a rising Canadian star to watch, and he’s back in a story about a retail worker who insinuates himself into the entourage of a hot new pop star played by Archie Madekwe.  This leads to narcissism and desperation to keep his access.  With these two young actors and director Alex Russell (who has worked on The Bear and Beef, among others) at the helm, this one is hard not to be excited about. 

I Live Here Now 

Al Pacino’s daughter, Julie, makes her feature film directorial debut with a film about a woman trapped at a motel, where her reality is unravelling.  A high-concept character study with an up-and-coming cast, including Lucy Fry and Madeline Brewer, feels like a film not to be missed. 

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This year’s festival takes place from July 16th to August 3rd. Be sure to check out the full program on the festival website.